Elliott Brood — Mountain Meadows

Elliott Brood have become one of my favourite Canadian live bands over the past five years. You wouldn't expect three guys using a suitcase, banjo and an acoustic guitar with effects pedals to create such a full sound on stage, but they do. And while I enjoyed their Tin Type debut EP and Juno Award-nominated Ambassador full-length, these recordings didn't leave me with the same thrill. The same can be said for Mountain Meadows, which was co-produced by the band and John Critchley (13 Engines). But "Miss You Now" combines all the best elements of what the "death country" trio do and, as the last song, makes you want to go back and listen to the album again to discover things you might have previously missed. Mark Sasso's distinctive nasally growl particularly stands out on "Garden River," there are subtle trumpet and trombone augmentations on "The Valley Town," and "W.I.A.D.F.Y." is simultaneously rootsy and aggressive. The band rock out more on "Chuckwagon," an instrumental that takes them somewhat into Sadies territory. Mountain Meadows will grow on you if given time to fertilize.

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